thankful

i have so much to be thankful for. so so much. i’m a lucky gal.

(even though these pictures only highlight the newest reason to be thankful, as always, i am most thankful for my entire family, and all our happiness and health. especially all my boys.) (and blue eyes )

have a very happy thanksgiving!

{justine}

thanksgiving recap

ryan and i successfully hosted our first thanksgiving. we survived our to-do list, cooking a thanksgiving dinner for 10 people (with help) and four house guests plus two guest dogs.  and i have to say it was pretty painless, apart from you know, building a table (although let’s be clear, i was not the builder, just the designer and stresser-outer). a huge thanks goes out to all those who helped with everything from finishing the table to setting the table to bringing delicious dishes to doing the dishes. the most praise goes out to ryan though, who built a damn good table (those details to come in a later post). he’s got skills, and he’s all mine.

{my first turkey. success!}

{cheers!}

{pears spraypainted gold. not for eating.}

{my mom’s awesome gravy boat. we never had cold gravy! (pier one)}

{italian catchphrase = catchphrase with an italian accent = hilarious}

i wish i got more photos of the food, because it was ridiculously good. i have to admit that my first turkey ever turned out delicious (thanks to the tutorial from bobby flay on the today show thanksgiving morning), though the turkey is probably my least favorite part of the meal – i’m a sides lover. and i got my share with stuffing, cranberries, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole and rolls. and let’s not forget the apple pie, pumpkin pie and cheesecake. i’ve been enjoying the leftovers all weekend, and probably will be for the rest of the week too. a slice of cheesecake per day? yes please.  i think i need to start my gym membership….

the rest of the in-laws’ visit we enjoyed some shopping, hanging out and plenty of meals out and once the house was silent saturday afternoon, let’s just say the couch and i became best friends.

{poufs can be toys too}

how was your thanksgiving? hope it was a blast filled with friends, family and way too much food.

i enjoyed hosting and was glad it seemed to go off without a hitch – but next year you’ll find me bringing a side dish or two…

{justine}

happy turkey day!

table is built, family is here and the bird is in the oven.

hope you have a great thanksgiving!

13 days…

until i host my first. thanksgiving. ever. so i have a to-do list a mile long. some tasks are small…and some are…quite large.

1. build a table. i repeat, build a table. (the wood is purchased and initial cuts are made, but the top has to be built, the legs have to arrive in the mail and it has to be assembled.)

2. finish painting dresser in basement work room so table can be built (primer and one coat of paint are on)

3. build and upholster a dining table bench

4. buy fabric for said bench

5. buy two end chairs for table

6. sew table runner (and napkins if there’s time. let’s just assume there’s no time).

7. figure out menu

8. buy turkey

9. figure out how to make turkey

10. create “tablescape”

11. clean

12. fold and put away the mountain of clothes on the guest bed

13. buy and hang new shade for guest room

14. grocery shop

15. cook!

oh, and we’re out of town this weekend. nothing like cutting it close to put the pressure on!

i think i need to quit my day job to get it all done. but i know it will come together, somehow. and if it doesn’t, the most important part is the company anyway.

are you excited for thanksgiving? stressed? hosting?  just supplying a side dish (or the wine)?

hope you enjoy the weekend. i sure will – and i’m sure i will have no less than 100 photos of my nephew to prove it (and of my sister-in-law’s beautifully renovated house).

{justine}

p.s. and this means only 14 days until christmas season! (though i adore it, it can not start earlier than the day after thanksgiving thankyouverymuch.)